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Hello everyone, and welcome back to English with Ally!

 I'm Ally, and you are listening to one of 24 episodes I'm making this December to explain different Christmas customs. Like an advent calendar, I'm releasing one episode a day to offer English language learners a little culture and a little listening practice over the holiday season - you're welcome!.

Christmas is the season of joy and one of the ways we make it feel special is by decorating our homes, workplaces and of course, shops.  Today on English with Ally, we’ll explore two contrasting styles of Christmas décor: bright and glittery versus natural and timeless.

Before we start, here are some useful words to listen out for:

• Over the top - too much, exaggerated
• Tinsel - plastic strings of different colours (often on a Christmas tree.)
• Baubles: Round ornaments for a Christmas tree.
• Fairy lights: Small decorative lights, often on a Christmas tree.
• Brash: Loud and showy, not subtle.
• Wreath: A circle of greenery hung on doors as decoration.
• Ribbons - long, colourful strips of cloth
• Holly and mistletoe: Green plants with berries, used for Christmas décor.

Listen out for those words!

Modern Christmas décor often means sparkle and shine – but sometimes doesn't it just feel a little over the top. Think plastic ornaments, tinsel, baubles and strings of fairy lights flashing in every colour. Add a spray of fake snow on the windows and you’ve got a look that’s brash, bright and completely artificial. It’s fun and festive but not exactly subtle.

On the other hand, you could use the charm of nature: a wreath made from evergreen branches and ribbons at your front door; a real Christmas tree with its fresh pine scent, sprigs of holly with its bright, red berries, and some mistletoe to hang over a doorway - this brings a calm elegance to your home - even though it is still festive. (Did you know that if you stand under the mistletoe, someone will kiss you! That's a tradition.) These natural decorations have a quiet beauty – simple, traditional and connected to the season itself. No batteries, no plastic – just greenery and a sense of timeless tradition. 

Christmas decorations make everything feel magical. Which style of décor do you prefer? You can get in touch by emailing helloenglishwithally[at]gmail.com, I'd love to hear from you.

Well, that's all for today, do listen to my previous episodes to find out more about Christmas traditions while practicing your listening skills.

Thanks for listening - merry Christmas!

Learn the language, discover the culture.